Taraba Monarch Buried Amidst Tight Security

The Chief of Donga in Donga local government area of Taraba State, Chief Steven Bayonga has been buried amidst tight security at his palace in Donga town as residents lament the absence of Governor Darius Ishaku at the burial ceremony.

Chief Steven Bayonga, died on Wednesday July 31, in an Abuja hospital.

The most celebrated first class Chief in Taraba was brought from Abuja to Taraba via Kashimbila Dame airstrip on an airplane and was conveyed to Donga amid heavy security.

Donga local government area is among the three local government areas of southern part of Taraba State that are bedeviled with Tiv/Jukun communal clashes in which over 100 people have been killed and properties worth millions of Naira destroyed in the past three months.

LEADERSHIP gathered that on the eve of the burial ceremony of Chief Bayonga, eleven trucks of Army and Mobile Police were deployed to Abako, Peva, Amadu, Rafinkada and Donga towns of Takum, Wukari and Donga local government areas where the communal clashes are currently ongoing.

Residents who spoke to LEADERSHIP lamented the absence of Governor Darius Ishaku at the burial of Chief Bayonga. The residents said the burial would have availed the governor an opportunity to see the level of damages the Tiv/Jukun crisis has caused the three local government areas of the state.

Ishaku has not visited the areas affected by the crisis since the last three months.

LEADERSHIP reports that the governor’s absence at the burial was not unconnected to the high level of insecurity within the area.

Comments

Taraba State University Joins ASUU Ultimatum to 21 Universities Over 2025 Agreement

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Taraba State University (TSU) chapter, has joined 20 other state-owned universities placed on a 14-day ultimatum over the alleged non-implementation of key provisions of the 2025 Federal Government-ASUU agreement. The ultimatum was issued following resolutions reached at ASUU’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the University of Abuja, where the union expressed concern over what it described as the “haphazard implementation” of the agreement. ASUU warned that the affected universities could face industrial action if the outstanding issues are not resolved within the 14-day window. The union authorised the affected branches to begin formal processes for strike action should their respective university authorities fail to address the issues. Taraba State University, Jalingo, was specifically listed among the 21 universities affected by the directive. Other institutions on the list include Nasarawa State Universit...

Truck Drivers Block Jalingo–Zing–Yola Road Following Dispute at NDLEA Checkpoint

Taraba Facts Truck drivers have reportedly blocked the Jalingo–Zing–Yola road following a disagreement with a soldier at an NDLEA checkpoint last night. The incident has disrupted movement along the major highway, leaving motorists and other road users stranded. As of Thursday morning, the road remains blocked, with the situation reportedly affecting the free movement of vehicles along the route. The circumstances surrounding the disagreement between the truck drivers and the security personnel remain unclear. Residents and road users are calling on relevant authorities to urgently intervene, investigate the incident and resolve the dispute to restore normal traffic. Authorities are also urged to ensure that the matter is properly addressed and that the safety and movement of commuters along the busy route are not further compromised.

Taraba Begins ₦5,000 Deduction for Teachers’ Permanent Identity Cards

The Taraba State Universal Basic Education Board (TSUBEB) has initiated a ₦5,000 deduction from teachers as part of arrangements for the production of Permanent Identity Cards for teachers across the state. According to UBEC, the identity cards are expected to strengthen staff records, improve security and enhance administrative efficiency in the management of teachers across Taraba State. UBEC further said the Permanent Identity Card project is also expected to assist the state government in developing an accurate and verifiable database of teachers. Such a database will provide Governor Agbu Kefas with reliable information on personnel within the basic education system and support more effective planning, monitoring and personnel management. The initiative is therefore expected to strengthen security measures, improve staff verification and provide a more efficient system for managing personnel across Taraba State’s basic education sector.

Taraba Facts

Search This Blog